Innovations in Apprentice Training

Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA) has recently introduced several new developments in Apprentice training—the Group Apprentice Induction and the Apprentice Mentor Program.

Apprenticeship Induction Week (January 20-25, 2014)

In January 2014, the HCA Training Department held an apprenticeship induction week in Sydney. The induction is designed to welcome new apprentices and guide them through the first steps toward a long and successful career with HCA.

Group induction is a new component critical to the development of a stronger workforce at HCA. It provides new apprentices with the opportunity to meet their peers, which will be based at other locations in Australia.

This initiative brings together the apprentice group as a team, ensuring national consistency across the induction and training process. This also ensures apprentices experience the same induction to the business, and company policies, relevant to their role.

Importantly, the group induction process ensures all new apprentices receive the same training surrounding general safety in high-risk environments—the safe use of power tools, hazard identification and the correct handling of situations they will encounter during this early stage of their career.

During the induction week, topics covered included our “See You Tomorrow” safety campaign, topics closely aligned with HCA’s Key Safety Promises, as well as a guided tour through the company’s Super Distribution Warehouse, an opportunity to observe the operations this integral parts network.

Apprentice Mentor Program (December, 2013)

Prior to the Apprentice Induction Week, a group of senior HCA employees volunteered to play a role in supporting the Apprentice Program as Apprentice Mentors. They attended formal training as a group at the company’s Sydney Corporate Support Group, which covered several business units from the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment—“Contribute to assessment”, “Provide work skill instruction” and “Mentor in the workplace”.

Research indicates that mentoring relationships promote self-esteem and reduce risk-taking behaviours in mentees (Moodie, 2005). It has also been suggested that within the vocational training process, providing mentoring relationships offers valuable support, which assists in increasing apprenticeship completion rates (Dowling et al., 2005).

Mentors within HCA are current employees who volunteer to take on these additional duties. Their role is to provide guidance and support, ensuring apprentices are provided with opportunities in the workplace to develop practical skills, and do so in a safe manner. This important initiative is designed to strengthen and streamline training at HCA, and has met with a positive response.

Here are some things you can do now to ensure you are successful in securing an Apprenticeship in 2015:

A pre-apprenticeship course—a must for those looking for an apprenticeship in 2015.

Work experience—a great way for you to get an idea of the job while also showing your commitment to the scoring an apprenticeship.

Any type of paid employment—shows you know how to work – you turn up on time, follow instructions and can learn on the job.

Extracurricular activities and achievements—these will set you apart from the others.

Gaining an apprenticeship can be difficult, and it’s what you do know that will either help or hinder your application. Applications for Hitachi Construction Machinery’s 2015 Apprenticeship intake will open in July/August via www.hitachicareers.com.au